The Omicron variant of Covid is one of the most highly transmissible variants and within a few days, this new variant easily overtook the delta version in the United States after detecting its first case in a fully vaccinated person in the state of California on 1st December 2021.
Positively, the variant does not cause severe illness and carries fewer symptoms. It is gradually increasing the number of infected patients in the US since its origin and has surpassed more than 850,000 daily average cases in the country.
Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel Stated The Clinical Trials For The Omicron Variant-specific Booster Dose Will Start Soon
Since the introduction of the omicron in the US, pharmaceutical companies are rigorously working on developing a vaccine that can easily beat the infection caused by the new variant.
The booster shots are considered the best and most reliable source of antibodies as it enhances the power of the immunity system. Also, as per the research conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a booster jab can reduce the chances of hospitalization and death by 90 percent.
On Wednesday while addressing the need to introduce a vaccine for the Omicron variant, the Vaccine developer company, Moderna made an official announcement regarding the developments being made on the booster doses for the omicron strain. In the announcement, Moderna confirmed that it is planning to conduct clinical trials for the booster vaccine.
Although, Dr. Anthony Fauci has given a clear indication that he is not in favor of any variant-specific vaccine and the companies must focus on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the currently available vaccines.
As per the CEO of Moderna, the main objective of the company is to come up with the booster vaccine that targets Covid Omicron Variant specifically as it will also be very helpful in fighting against the variants which might enter the world in the future.
According to the officials, the company will start the clinical trials in the upcoming days and it will be participants above 18 years. In the United States, adolescents 12-17 years old are authorized to receive only Pfizer booster doses, and citizens from 18 years and above can choose a booster jab of either Pfizer or Moderna according to their will.
Also, the officials announced that the clinical trials will be done on those individuals who have received the initial two vaccination doses of the Modern vaccine and the other will consist of individuals who have received two shots of vaccine along with the booster shot authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Earlier this month, Moderna claimed that the effect of the booster shot declines over time however, it still provides considerable protection over Omicron but the effectiveness will decline if new variants enter the world.
The CEO of Moderna said that our team of scientists and medical officials are trying their best to advance the Omicron immune system taking into consideration the long-term threat which might happen sometime soon after the decline of the omicron.
